American Airlines ground workers split on contract

In this June 23, 2008 file photo, a US Airways jet takes-off as an American Airlines Jet is prepped for takeoff at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.

DALLAS >> American Airlines ground workers split over the company's final contract
offer that would spare some jobs targeted for elimination.

The
Transport Workers Union said Tuesday that five work groups voted to
accept the company's offer but two others, including the biggest,
aircraft mechanics, rejected it.

Pilots, flight attendants and the
TWU have already thrown their support to a bid by US Airways to take
over American and create a bigger combined airline.

AMR Corp.'s
American Airlines is trying to throw out other union contracts to cut
costs as it goes through bankruptcy protection. A hearing on that move
continued Tuesday in federal district court in New York.

The split
in weekend voting underscored the difficult choices facing American's
73,000 employees, including whether to support the company's plan to
remain independent for now or to favor an immediate merger.

The Transport Workers Union did not take a position on the contract offer, although some local officials opposed the deal.

"Some
of our members found the company's last offer to be a safer bet than
waiting on the (bankruptcy) court to make a decision," said TWU
President James C. Little.

American filed for bankruptcy
protection in November and announced in February a plan to eliminate
13,000 union jobs and cut other costs to emerge a profitable company.

Company
spokesman Bruce Hicks said Tuesday's voting results would save 1,300
jobs, pay raises, early retirement incentives and other benefits for the
five groups that accepted the deal. The company also had promised to
save 1,900 maintenance jobs, but that offer could be dead after
mechanics rejected the offer 56 percent to 44 percent.

TWU said
workers whose groups approved the offer would see no changes in jobs,
wages or working conditions until the bankruptcy court judge rules on
American's request to throw out current labor contracts for pilots,
flight attendants and mechanics. A ruling is expected in early June.